Sunday, January 22, 2012

I came across this on one of the blogs I follow. I think this is an excellent idea that helps to keep track of everyone's extracurricular activities and homework. I love the photo and name to make it especially personal for each child.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Thursday, January 19, 2012

The last several days I have moved my "office" equipment into a guest bedroom. I had my office and sewing items in my small study and couldn't seem to keep the study clean and be efficient and productive in either endeavor. Currently my sewing things are scattered throughout the house - wherever I had space to store it. My goal is to have all the office items in the guest bedroom and move all my sewing things in the study (which will be renamed my sewing room). Hopefully, this will enable me to be more productive this year and keep both areas clean and organized. We'll see how it goes!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

In a small space, take office storage to the walls to keep work surfaces clutter-free. In this space, cubbies were mounted to the wall and magazine holders were screwed into the bottom of the cubbies for an innovative mail sorter. For an easy and affordable work surface, transform a slab door into a desktop by mounting it to a wall and placing bookcases or file cabinets beneath it for support.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Create a Mail Station. Set up mailboxes on a desk, wall, or bulletin board. Or give each member of your family his or her own labeled box, bin, or slot.

Stay on Schedule. Hang a large monthly calendar in a spot everyone can see and use it. Choose a paper calendar or dry-erase version, and encourage everyone to write important events, deadlines, and reminders.

Organize Office Supplies. Outfit a desk drawer near your main working area with a divided tray or multiple small bins. Limit the number of office supplies in each compartment. Label each compartment with an adhesive label.

Get Rid of Junk. Test all writing utensils. Toss everything that doesn't work perfectly. Group similar items (pens, pencils, markers, etc) in canisters for easy access.

Monday, January 16, 2012

A complete overhaul of your home's storage system may sound overwhelming, but focusing on improving the storage in just one room each month can get you the storage you want in a quick but manageable time frame.

We've provided you with quick and easy mini projects to do throughout the month, each month. Combine the projects into one weekend or do one project each week of the month.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

I am looking forward to a shopping trip and lunch with one of my best friends. Naturally, we are making a trip to the Container Store and a fabric shop. Can't wait to find some goodies since two of my attributes are organization and sewing! Hope everyone enjoys today.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The next time you sit down to watch TV, pull out a drawer, any drawer. During TV commercials, sort the contents into four piles: keep, toss, donate or sell, and items to relocate. Then put back only the keepers, using expandable organizers to keep them tidy.

Tackle your junk drawer first. Remove anything you don't use at least monthly, then sort what's left into compartments of an organizer that completely fills the drawer. You won't have room to stash things that don't belong there.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Invest in a tabbed wallet for receipts and coupons. It will make your purse into a mini filing cabinet that puts everything you need for shopping at your fingertips. Label the tabs how you like -- by store, by date, or by category.

Give frequently accessed papers (takeout menus, sports schedules, phone directories) a dedicated spot rather than leaving them in a pile on the counter or stuck to the fridge. Three-hole punch all that paper, then store it in a pretty binder with labeled tabs.

Have a pile of cookbooks gathering dust? Scan and print the one or two recipesyou use the most often, then donate the book. Same goes for recipes in magazines. Tear out the relevant pages, then recycle the rest. Put the pages into clear plastic pockets in a three-ring binder. You've just made yourself a customized cookbook with plenty of room to grow.

Monday, January 9, 2012

What to do with all the maps, guides, ticket stubs, post cards....from a vacation? If you don't scrapbook, why not create a collage of the items by gluing them onto a piece of cardstock paper and frame it. You'll be able to enjoy your memories each time you see the wall art. Barbara R. Moore from Shelby, N.C. shared this tip in a magazine. Photos from Martha Stewart's crafting ideas.

2. Roll each pastry sheet into a 12- x 10-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Fit 1 sheet into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate; spoon chicken mixture into pastry. Place remaining pastry sheet over filling in opposite direction of bottom sheet; fold edges under, and press with tines of a fork, sealing to bottom crust. Whisk together egg and 1 Tbsp. water, and brush over top of pie.

Preparation

Coat a 13" x 9" pan with cooking spray. Line pan with aluminum foil, allowing ends to hang over short sides of pan. Tuck overlapping ends under rim on short sides. Coat foil with cooking spray; set pan aside.

Combine first 5 ingredients in a small bowl.

Beat butter and sugars at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth; add eggs, coffee, and vanilla, beating just until blended. Add flour mixture; beat at medium speed until blended. Stir in sandwich cookie crumbs and remaining 4 ingredients.

Spoon batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly.

Bake at 325° for 55 to 58 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cover and chill at least 2 hours.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Christmas is probably the holiday I love the most and have the most fantastic memories of from childhood. Since the children have their own families, I have parred down to the decorations I want for my house. Extras have gone to the kids, grandkids or donated to Goodwill. It's still a lot of decorations! I am slowly taking it all down and organizing it into clear bins to place in the attic (we don't have basements in Texas). I also am cleaning as I go from room to room. Yes, I decorate every room! So, it is taking longer this year. Hope you all enjoyed your holidays!